Sunday's competition in Fort Worth was marked by numerous crashes, spinouts and tire issues.
None of the four playoff races so far have been won by a driver still eligible for the title.
Soon after the caution came out for Martin Truex’s spinout from the lead on lap 268, Hamlin was sliding through the infield after Byron’s hard contact from behind. When pressed after the race, Byron admitted he intentionally did it, upset about being pushed up against the wall by Hamlin during green-flag laps when they were running just behind the leader.
“I guess we can just wreck each other under caution. I tried to wreck him back,” Hamlin said. “Yeah, I don’t think we touched. I got to look. I don’t think we touched. Obviously, he sent us into the infield under caution.”